Clinton support puts union arm in debt

[Scooter24]

Clinton support puts union arm in debt
By Jim McElhatton
May 20, 2008


The independent political arm of the nation's largest government workers union has taken out a $1 million loan to replenish its coffers after spending millions of dollars backing Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and criticizing her rival, Sen. Barack Obama, according to campaign records.

Despite the union's endorsement of Mrs. Clinton, state chapters of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) in Illinois and Oregon have broken with the national leadership in recent months and thrown their support behind Mr. Obama.

Filings with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) show that the union's political group, AFSCME People, took out a $1 million loan on Feb. 25 from Amalgamated Bank in New York while spending more than $2 million to sway the Democratic contest. The expenditures included more than $200,000 in negative mailers against Mr. Obama in New Hampshire, Iowa and Ohio.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/NATION/657196103

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

1. oopsie.

[DJ13]

2. Win or lose, just how were they expecting this money to be repaid?

It sounds like they were expecting some sort of quid pro quo after she became President.

[PM7nj]

3. Well that sucks for them.

Can't say I am too upset. Their leaders have been pretty ridiculous.

[Adelante]

4. Crazy, just crazy

Unless there is an anti-labor candidate to fight against, these unions should keep their members' money out of primaries.

[Scooter24]

5. ...

:kick:

[uponit7771]

6. This has been totally irresponsible